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Optical transducer system for monitoring movable parts, optical modulator and musical instrument using the same

a technology of optical modulator and optical transducer, which is applied in the direction of electrophonic musical instruments, counting objects on conveyors, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of increased production cost of hybrid musical instruments, and increased production cost of third prior art shutters. achieve the effect of reducing production costs

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-01-05
YAMAHA CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach results in a lower production cost for optical modulators and the overall musical instrument, facilitating mass production while maintaining high resolution in converting key positions to electric signals.

Problems solved by technology

Although the current position of component part is surely converted to the electric signal by means of the prior art optical modulators, a problem is encountered in the first, second and third prior art optical modulators in that the prior art optical modulators make the production cost of the hybrid musical instrument increased.
The prior art fabrication process for the third prior art shutter is more complicated.
The machining process or photo-lithographic process are complicated, and are costly.
All of the prior art optical modulators are fabricated through the complicated processes, and, accordingly, the production cost is high.
This results in the high production cost of the musical instrument.

Method used

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  • Optical transducer system for monitoring movable parts, optical modulator and musical instrument using the same
  • Optical transducer system for monitoring movable parts, optical modulator and musical instrument using the same
  • Optical transducer system for monitoring movable parts, optical modulator and musical instrument using the same

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0049]Referring first to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a mute piano embodying the present invention largely comprises an acoustic piano 1, an optical position transducer system 10, an information processing system 60, a sound system 70 and a mute system 80. An upright piano serves as the acoustic piano 1. The optical transducer system 10, information processing system 60 and mute system 70 are installed inside the acoustic piano 1. However, the sound system 70 is partially exposed to the environment.

[0050]A player fingers on the acoustic piano 1 for music tunes, and the acoustic piano tones or electronic tones are produced through the acoustic piano 1 or sound system 70. The optical transducer system 10, information processing system 60 and sound system 70 participate in the generation of electronic tones as follows.

[0051]The optical transducer system 10 is electrically connected to the information processing system 60, which in turn is electrically connected to the sound system 70. The a...

second embodiment

[0097]Turning to FIG. 6, another hybrid keyboard musical instrument embodying the present invention also comprises an acoustic piano, an information processing system, a sound system, a mute system and an optical transducer system 40A. Since the acoustic piano, information processing system, sound system and mute system are similar to the acoustic piano 1, information processing system 60, sound system 70 and mute system 80, no further description is hereinafter incorporated for avoiding repetition. When component parts of the acoustic piano, information processing system, sound system and mute system are referred to in the following description, the component parts are labeled with the references designating the corresponding component parts of the acoustic piano 1, information processing system 60, sound system 70 and mute system 80.

[0098]The optical transducer system 40A includes light emitters, light detectors, optical fibers, sensor heads and optical modulators 41A, one of whic...

third embodiment

[0106]Yet another hybrid keyboard musical instrument embodying the present invention also comprises an acoustic piano, an information processing system, a sound system, a mute system and an optical transducer system 40B. Since the acoustic piano, information processing system, sound system and mute system are similar to the acoustic piano 1, information processing system 60, sound system 70 and mute system 80, no further description is hereinafter incorporated for the sake of simplicity. When component parts of the acoustic piano, information processing system, sound system and mute system are referred to in the following description, the component parts are labeled with the references designating the corresponding component parts of the acoustic piano 1, information processing system 60, sound system 70 and mute system 80.

[0107]The optical transducer system 40B includes light emitters, light detectors, optical fibers, sensor heads and optical modulators 41B, one of which is illustr...

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PUM

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Abstract

An optical modulator is hung from a key moved on a key trajectory so as to be moved together with the key, and a light beam, which is stationary with respect to a key bed, is radiated through the optical modulator; a large number of miniature refractors are formed on the light output surface of the optical modulator, and the density of miniature refractors per unit area is varied in a direction in which the optical modulator is moved together with the key so that the current key position is converted to the amount of light passing through the optical modulator; since the miniature refractors and other portions of optical modulator have a unitary structure, a molding process is used for the optical modulator, and the molding process make the production cost low.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to an optical transducer system and, more particularly, to an optical transducer system available for a musical instrument having movable parts to be monitored therewith and an optical modulator incorporated in the optical transducer system.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002]While a player is performing a music tune on an acoustic musical instrument such as, for example, a piano, the player selectively depresses and releases the keys, and the keys make the action units drive the hammers for rotation toward the strings, and the hammers give rise to the vibrations of strings at the collision with the strings. Thus, the acoustic tones are produced only through the actuation of mechanical linkage in the acoustic musical instrument. However, an electric system and / or an electronic system participates in generation of tones through electronic musical instruments and hybrid musical instruments. Movements of certain mechanical component pa...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G10H3/06
CPCG01D5/30G10H1/0553G01D5/34707G10H2220/305G10H1/34G10H1/32G10H3/06
Inventor KATO, TADAHARU
Owner YAMAHA CORP